Different diets influence internal fat storage

Scan images reveal for the first time how weight is stored in the body, why low-fat is not always healthier and the one diet that is best.

Compared to a low-fat diet, eating Mediterranean foods with a minimal-carb intake for lunch just three times a week significantly reduces fat storage around the heart and liver, a study found.

After 18 months, adopting a diet rich in vegetables, fruit and nuts also significantly reduces people’s waist circumference, the research adds.

Lead author Professor Iris Shai from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel, said: ‘These findings suggest that moderate exercise combined with a Mediterranean/low carb diet may help reduce the amount of some fat deposits even if you don’t lose significant weight as part of the effort.

‘We learned in this trial that moderate, but persistent, weight loss may have dramatic beneficial effects on fat deposits related to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.’

Eating a lunch rich in vegetables and nuts three times a week decreases waist circumference

OBESE MEN MAY BE ARE MORE AT RISK OF HEART DISEASE AND STROKE THAN OVERWEIGHT WOMEN DUE TO WHERE THEY STORE FAT

Obese men may be more at risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes than overweight women due to where they store fat, new research reveals.

Overweight men tend to carry fat around their abdomen, muscles and liver, putting them at risk of heart-related diseases, a study found.

While women carrying too much weight often store it around their thighs and buttocks, the research adds, preventing them from heart attacks, type 2 diabetes and stroke.

Lead author Dr Miriam Bredella from Harvard Medical School, said: ‘The detrimental fat depots deep in the belly, muscles and liver are more damaging for cardiometabolic health in women compared to men.’

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, more than 70 percent of Americans are considered overweight or obese.

Obesity puts people at risk of a variety of health problems and is the second leading cause of preventable death in the US.

How the research was carried out

The researchers analysed 278 sedentary adults with abdominal obesity or abnormally high levels of lipids in their blood.

The study’s participants were given either a low-fat or Mediterranean-diet lunch at least three times a week over 18 months.

Both lunches contained the same number of calories. All of the participants also received a daily 28g snack of walnuts.

Some of the participants were given free gym membership to complete moderate physical activity.

Whole-body MRI scans were taken at six and 18 months.

Mediterranean diets reduce waist circumference and internal fat

Results reveal exercise combined with a Mediterranean diet significantly reduces fat storage around the heart and liver more than eating low-fat food.

Such a diet also decreases waist circumference.

Weight loss is similar between people eating either diets.

Professor Shai said: ‘These findings suggest that moderate exercise combined with a Mediterranean/low carb diet may help reduce the amount of some fat deposits even if you don’t lose significant weight as part of the effort.

‘We learned in this trial that moderate, but persistent, weight loss may have dramatic beneficial effects on fat deposits related to diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.’

These findings build on previous research that revealed low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean diets reduce people’s risk of suffering heart disease, diabetes or stroke, as well as reversing artery narrowing from plaque build-up.

The current study’s results were published in the journal Circulation.